This page contains guidance for if you have been told that you can't get a CAS or if you have been informed that your Student sponsorship will be withdrawn.
This is a different process to if your visa has been refused by UK Visas and Immigration.
What can I do if my Student visa application has been withdrawn by the University of Kent?
The University aims to ensure that students have the opportunity to understand decisions made by the Student Immigration Compliance Manager and to appeal against those decisions if students feel they have grounds. This may include, but is not limited to:
- a decision to withdraw or refuse Student visa sponsorship
- withdrawal from the University for not holding valid immigration permission to study in the UK
The University of Kent retains the right to refuse or withdraw sponsorship if you do not follow the terms and conditions of visa sponsorship. We will advise you via email that you will no longer be sponsored and if you have the right to appeal. Appeals will be considered by the Director of Strategic Planning and Performance.
Before submitting an appeal, please read this webpage thoroughly, as it outlines information about the evidence you will need to present to support your appeal.
The appeal, together with any supporting documentation, must be received within five working days from the date of the decision letter from the Student Immigration Compliance Manager. The information you submit as part of your appeal may be shared with the Student Immigration Compliance Team and your Division in order to review your case.
It is important to know that the appeal process is the final opportunity for you to present your case and provide evidence. You will not be given any further opportunity to present your case to the Student Immigration Compliance Team.
How do I appeal the University's decision to withdraw my visa?
- Read the guidance on this webpage
- Seek advice and support from the Kent Union Advice Centre
- Complete and submit the appeal form (found at the end of the guidance) and supporting letter of appeal
- Email the Student Immigration Compliance Team any other supporting evidence (as applicable)
When do I need to submit my appeal?
All of the required documentation (appeal form, letter of appeal and supporting evidence) must be received within 5 working days from the date of the decision letter from the Student Immigration Compliance Manager.
Appeals will not be considered if they are received more than 5 working days from the date of the letter advising you of the withdrawal of your sponsorship. This is because we only have 10 working days to report any changes in circumstances to UKVI.
Where do I submit my appeal?
You can submit your completed appeal form including all original supporting evidence via the appeal form. If you are unable to attach certain documents, please email them to the Student Immigration Compliance Team.
Can I get an update on my appeal before the decision is made?
The appeals process can involve detailed scrutiny of your case, including the sharing and receiving of relevant information with your Division. You will receive an acknowledgement that your appeal has been received and we will then not contact you until we have something to report to you. You will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible, and we therefore ask that you do not contact us any earlier than 10 working days after you submitted your appeal.
Appeal guidance
In your appeal form, you should expand on your grounds for appeal and include any supporting third party evidence that has not been previously disclosed or provided. Your statement should be clear, concise, and factual. In the case of sponsorship being withdrawn due to attendance issues, you should link the circumstances of your appeal to your attendance and academic performance since registration as a student.
All information provided will be treated in a highly confidential manner. The Director of Strategic Planning and Performance is the UKVI Authorising Officer (a senior and competent person responsible for the key actions of staff and representatives who use the sponsorship management system) and they will consider your appeal on the documents that you submit and the facts surrounding your case.
Where any new and extenuating evidence requires support from your Division, it will be disclosed to them to ensure a fair and appropriate outcome to your case.
Supporting documents
Documents submitted in support your case (eg a letter from your doctor, death certificate of close family member/friend) must be timely and credible. Medical letters must be dated at the time of the extenuating circumstance. Any medical letters which are dated after our notification of the intent to withdraw your visa sponsorship will not be considered unless they refer to an ongoing medical condition for which there is a diagnosis and evidence of treatment.
Medical evidence must originate from the UK. Exceptions may be considered in the case of long term illness. If the original document is not written in English, you must provide a translation into English which has been certified by an independent professional body.